From General Manager Wes Kooistra
The Twin Cities has some of the starkest disparities in the nation. Across the region, Black people are less likely to own a home and experience unemployment and poverty at higher rates than their white counterparts. Too often, people in our region also face challenges because of their genders, identities, or disabilities.
Our regional disparities came into sharper focus after the May 2020 murder of George Floyd and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to Floyd’s murder and the social unrest that followed, we renewed our commitment to supporting equity through our service delivery and business practices. We also recommitted ourselves to creating an equitable workplace where all employees can access opportunity.
As General Manager, I have said that it is not enough to say that we are committed to equity. Our commitments must be reflected in everything we do as an organization and as an employer.
I made this statement a year ago, when I directed Metro Transit leaders to move forward on several equity action items and asked staff across the organization for recommendations on how we could do better. The question now is: How far have we come?
That question is answered in part through our 2021 Equity Progress Report, which is linked below, available on MetNet and will be distributed to work sites.
For the purposes of this report, we have focused primarily on four key focus areas:
- Expanding access to opportunities through transit service
-
Improving transit accessibility and quality
- Building and leveraging institutional strength to support regional equity
- Fostering an equitable workplace
As you will see, we have made some important progress. Equity considerations are becoming a larger focus of our service and facility planning efforts. We have expanded our Equity and Inclusion Team to help us set priorities and make decisions. And we are being more deliberate about doing business with minority- and women-owned business.
While we have moved the needle, there is much more that we need to do.
Moving forward, we will continue to celebrate our successes while being honest with ourselves, our riders and our partners about the work that remains. In part, that will mean regularly providing progress reports like the one we share today.
While it is clear there is work to do, it is also clear that staff across our organization are eager to help us on our path.
Thank you to all those who are encouraging us and advancing equity through their own work. I see you, I hear you and I join you in this shared mission to help create a workplace, a transit system and a region where opportunities are not limited by race, gender or abilities.
Share your feedback
Employee feedback is a valuable part of the conversation about Metro Transit’s efforts to become a more equitable service provider and employer. To offer your thoughts on the work that’s been done and what lies ahead, please consider:
In the future, steps taken to address equity-related feedback will be tracked on the Equity & Inclusion Team’s MetNet page.
|
The Metro Transit Police Department welcomed three new police officers and celebrated more than a dozen recent promotions at a graduation and promotion ceremony this week.
The new officers continue to build the department’s diversity, and five women were among those who were promoted. About one-third of the department’s officers are now people of color.
"I'm extremely proud of these talented individuals that have risen above," Police Chief Eddie Frizell said, speaking after the ceremony with Somali TV. "As we say, the cream rises to the top and each and every one of these individuals recognized today have certainly done that."
At Wednesday’s event, General Manager Wes Kooistra also thanked officers for their continued dedication to the community. “This is difficult work, and all too often thankless work,” he said.
- The new officers are: Gideon Gonzales, Chereyia Yang and Randy Chon.
- The officers who were promoted to Sergeant are: Debra Wohlferd, Marcus Johnson, Michael Leubner, Sidney Jones, Sr., Brett Schuck, Justin Johnson, Tommy Eam, Kadra Mohamed, Canon Yang, Patrick McCabe, Liban Ibrahim and Kelly Franco.
- The officers who were promoted to Captain are: Brooke Blakey, Erin Dietz and Joseph Dotseth.
The police department continues to recruit Community Service Officers (CSOs). CSOs assist officers, police staff and the public while pursuing law enforcement degrees. For more information, review the job posting.
This week, 38 bus operators were recognized for completing the Bus Operator Apprenticeship Program, modeled after programs for plumbers, pipefitters and other skilled trade workers. The program was launched in 2019 and is a joint effort between Metro Transit and the ATU Local 1005.
Operators who participate in the program receive special instruction and are partnered with mentors during their first year on the job. The program is continuing as operator hiring efforts have resumed this spring. To date, more than 140 operators have completed the program and become Certified Bus Operators.
From left to right are: Abdiaziz Hassan, Kirubael Gebremichael, Robert Lewis, Brandon Brown, Douglas Holmgren, Sondra Mister, Jordan Albert, and Yhori Luanglath.
Bus operator hiring event on June 26
The second of two one-day bus operator hiring events will be held at the Instruction Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. At the event, job seekers can submit their applications and complete an interview. Metro Transit is aiming to hire up to 70 full-time bus operators through this fall. To encourage applications, successful new hires can earn a $1,000 bonus; employees who refer successful candidates can earn up to a $600 bonus. For more information, visit metrotransit.org/drive.
Many people who work at Metro Transit take on new responsibilities and roles throughout their careers. Career Tracks will highlight the paths employees have taken to their latest assignment, encouraging others to consider their own professional development.
How did you begin your career with Metro Transit?
When I was a little girl, I told my cousin Theresa, “When I grow up, I want to be a truck driver or a teacher.” Flash forward, I became I school bus driver on a 5-speed stick shift. I loved driving but needed better wages and healthcare than a small town school bus company could give, so I headed to the Twin Cities. On March 24, 1990, I started as a part-time, weekends, and holidays Operator at Metro Transit. In those days, there weren’t as many women in the profession. I was the only woman in a class of 12 operators. We all wanted to go full-time, but it didn’t happen as quickly as we’d hoped – it took two years and 1 day to get there. I love my job and it shows: I waited and juggled two and three jobs while waiting to get here!
What were your career goals and what steps did you take to achieve them?
Like all operators, the first goal is simple -- get to work on time. With personal struggles and a car with bald tires, that wasn’t always easy, but it was the best place to start. After ten years, Nicollet Garage had an opening for a relief dispatcher position. I had to advocate to be considered, and I earned the position. Six months later, a relief instructor position opened. The following year, I applied to be a full-time instructor. For nine years, I was in my ultimate job—a teacher and a driver! Then I took a giant step and was elected Vice President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1005. All the trials, tribulations and successes prepared me for this important work to serve 3,000 members. I am especially proud of my work taking care of medical disqualified members, helping them return to work or medically retire. After 12 years of service, I’ve returned to instructing and driving. It’s a lot less stress and a wonderful place to finish out my career.
What advice do you have for others who want to take on more or different responsibilities?
Become fearless and independent in whatever you do! There were many points in my life when I felt injustice, like when I was working through a divorce or lost my husband Brad Maki to cancer in 2007. Instead of giving into grief, it created a fearless and independent attitude in me. I hope that whatever issues you may face in your career and in life that you can use it to motivate your growth. As new operators begin their careers at Metro Transit, I wish them a long successful career! I’ll toast to that!
|
Glass panes are a dominant feature of the transit system, used in more than 850 bus shelters and a growing number of Bus Rapid Transit and light rail stations.
The continuation of the Better Bus Stops program and construction of new BRT and LRT stations will bring even more glass in the coming years.
Keeping all that glass clean and in good order is a challenge. In recent years, maintenance staff have replaced or repaired hundreds of broken panes, a costly and time-consuming effort.
To lower costs and speed up future repairs, the agency is changing the standard from etched glass to clear glass moving forward.
Over the last two decades, etched glass has largely been used because it helps hide grime and scratches. But etched glass is now eight times more expensive than clear glass and can take several months to arrive.
“When a shelter is damaged, we want to be able to repair it as quickly as possible because it takes away from the customer experience,” Director of Engineering & Facilities Marilyn Porter said.
Clear glass also provides a clearer view of what’s happening in and around shelters, something operators, transit police and customers have asked for.
Clear glass will be phased in as repairs are made to existing shelters and stations and used in all future LRT and BRT stations, including those built along the METRO Orange Line, METRO D Line and Green Line Extension.
Clear glass can already be found at several light rail stations, including all of those in downtown Minneapolis.
Public Facilities Workers will be asked to scrub and squeegee the clear glass panes to keep them looking clean.
Operators who would like to provide feedback or call attention to shelters in need of repair are encouraged to submit Operating Condition Reports through their garage coordinator.
SCADA Systems Administrator Bruce Fenlason, a licensed drone pilot, recently took this photo of a bridge being built over Highway 212 in Minnetonka as part of the Green Line Extension construction project.
Now that the bridge beams are in place, work will begin on the bridge decking and eventually the placing of light rail tracks. More than a dozen bridges are being built for along the Green Line Extension corridor, which runs from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.
The Rail Signals Department recently received a commendation from a customer who appreciates their work to keep the trains moving.
Thank you for fixing the broken gate arm at 46th & Hiawatha today. Someone was out right away and kept trains moving by moving the broken arm off the tracks to help prevent any further delays. I just wanted to let someone know how much they are appreciated.
|
To celebrate Pride Month, several Metro Transit staff members participated in an online discussion about allyship, pronouns and their own personal journeys this week. Hosted by Tane Danger, the panel included:
- Nathan Bakken, Transit Information Representative
- David Hanson, Asst. Director Field Operations
- Marissa Higgens, Bus Operator
- Robert Lilligren, Metropolitan Council Member
- Heidi Wrenson, Transit Supervisor
Next week, employees are invited to attend an online workshop with Jamil Stamschror-Lott (he/him) and Kesley Shultz (they/them) about LGBTQIA+ allyship, accountability, history and terminology and inclusivity. The session will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 28 on Zoom.
To learn more about the Council's Pride Employee Resource Group, contact David Hanson or Nia Colebrooke.
Workplace preparedness plan updated: Council management continues to monitor the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Incident Command and Planning teams have updated the COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Plan, which acts as a framework for workplace and workforce planning during the pandemic. This update includes high-level guidance to support our on-site and teleworking employees, who are slowly beginning to transition back in phases to an office setting. Review the updated Pandemic Preparedness Plan on the Emergency Policies and Procedures page on MetNet and read the Council's latest COVID-19 update here.
Chauvin sentencing today (June 25): Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin will be sentenced in Hennepin County Court today, Friday, June 25. There are no planned road closures or detours, and light rail trains will serve all stations. Supervisors will address any disruptions as they arise. Separately, Street Operations continues to monitor activity near the Uptown Transit Station, where there have been recent demonstrations and road closures. To avoid unplanned detours, buses are being preemptively moved off Hennepin Avenue to Lyndale Avenue between 31st Street and 26th/28th streets from 10 p.m. through 3 a.m. every Friday and Saturday night through the end of the summer.
Catch Up and Dream with AWT on June 28: Advancing Women in Transit, an Employee Resource Group for female identifying employees, is inviting employees to attend a Monday, June 28, session about dreaming big. The casual conversation will run from noon to 1 p.m. and delve into questions like, “If you could have anything, what is your dream workplace?” For more information about AWT or the June 28 event, email Jennifer Kochaver.
Help measure progress by self-identifying as having a disability: As a government organization, the Council is required to ask job applicants and employees to voluntarily self-identify if they have a disability. Any information you provide will be confidential and in no way impact eligibility for employment. Self-identifying as having a disability is protected under Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The information you provide helps the Council measure its progress in attracting, recruiting, employing, and advancing individuals with disabilities. To self-identify as having a disability, please login to Employee Self Service (ESS). For assistance logging in, please refer to the ESS Quick Start Guide.
|
